When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Ranger 173 Ghost 2009 and the Ranger Z120 2011 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Ranger Z120 2011 measures 20,4 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 3,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Ranger 173 Ghost 2009 at 17,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Ranger Z120 2011 tips the scales at 1 735 lbs — 750 lbs less than the Ranger 173 Ghost 2009 at 985 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 200 hp, the Ranger Z120 2011 has a 85-hp advantage over the Ranger 173 Ghost 2009's 115-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Ranger Z120 2011 carries 24 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Ranger 173 Ghost 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Ranger Z120 2011 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Ranger 173 Ghost 2009 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Ranger Z120 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Ranger Z120 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 20,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Ranger 173 Ghost 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.